Tokyo stocks open flat as buying on Wall Street's lead offset by profit taking

TOKYO, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks opened essentially flat Wednesday, as buying on the back of Wall Street's solid overnight lead on the one hand, was offset by profit taking following the market's recent gains.

As of 9:15 a.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average shed 9.21 points, or 0.05 percent, from Tuesday to 20,290.17.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, edged 2.01 points, or 0.12 percent lower, to 1,665.87.

Electric power and gas, and pharmaceutical issues comprised the most notable decliners in early trade.

Conversely, mining, and oil and coal product-linked stocks led those that advanced the most from the morning bell.